The women who rocked my world…

Recently I started thinking about the women in my life who made impressions on me during my formative years. It occurred to me that I came to know these women, not by reading some article, or hearing their story told on the news, no, my list comes from women I saw weekly, sometimes daily. Some of you might find the females on my list flimsy and insubstantial, after all, they’re not REAL people, just characters. Still, they made a deep and lasting impression on me and are indeed, responsible for the person I am today.

Let’s take a look at a small sampling, shall we?

The Flying Nun or Sister Bertrille, played by Sally Field, who, like the late Dick Clark, has freakishly retained her youthful appearance her entire life. For all we know this photo could be from an episode of “Brothers and Sisters?” Anyway, I learned to disregard the Laws of Physics from watching The Flying Nun. She had me believing that if I wore the right head gear in a strong wind, that I could be air lifted and able to fly as needed. She gave new meaning to the idea that with faith, a person could do anything. I still believe this – stop laughing at me.

Laurie Partridge rockin’ the ruffled shirt.

Laurie Partridge, played by Susan Dey. She taught me that a girl could retain her popularity even if she played the piano/organ like a total retard with her motley crew family. Somehow driving around in that patchwork bus never caused her to lose points at school? She also taught me that it was okay to have an eating disorder and flirt with your older brother, as long as he looked like David Cassidy. Needless to say, I wanted to be Laurie Partridge, that is, until she appeared on LA Law and destroyed my whole image of her.

Mary Richards, played by Mary Tyler Moore, also the name of the show – I know, it’s confusing. Anyway, Mary Richards taught me that office politics and lack of boundaries could be lots of fun!! She also impressed me with her independent spirit, hard work, and smile — basically the whole opening credit montage. The same girl that could “turn the world on with her smile” could throw her hat up in the air on a busy city street and look perfectly normal doing so.

Samantha Stevens, played by the late Elizabeth Montgomery, in “Bewitched” made a huge impression on me. She taught me that a woman could be a hottie, even a hottie witch, and marry a dud like Darin. I guess it was a cautionary tale? I admired her loyalty and commitment to her husband, even though he was a drippy mortal man. What did she really get out of that marriage? A double date with Mr. Tate and his wife? Seriously, she could have lived an unbelievable life but she chose to stand by her man. There’s something to be said for a woman who doesn’t take the easy way out. She also taught me that I have zero ability when it comes to nose twitching.

Lucy Ricardo, played by Lucille Ball, on “I Love Lucy” taught me that when choosing friends always go for the less attractive and you’ll always look good in comparison, not to mention you’ll always have the upper hand. Seriously. Fred and Ethel could make anyone look good. (I’m kidding! But not really.) Lucy made it okay to be a total nut job and laugh at yourself. She also made it okay to be married to a Cuban hot head with mediocre bongo playin’ talent. All kidding aside, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t LOVE LUCY. That woman was a comedic genius.

Jeanie, played by Barbara Eden, on “I Dream Of Jeanie” taught me that there was no value in the Nasa space program. I’m joking!– not really. Seriously, Jeanie taught me that women’s lib was not all it was cracked up to be. Forget Helen Reddy. Anyone watching that show could see that there was no problem in being female and having a “master” as long as you could rock some silky jeanie attire and retreat into a cushy bottle – it was all good. You have to admit, she had a nice set up, right?

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46 thoughts on “The women who rocked my world…”

Ah, Mary Richards!! How many of us have wanted to (if not actually tried) to throw up our berets in middle of traffic? *raises hand* I was almost killed, but, for a brief moment, I felt spunky. (cue Lou Grant)

Awww… That’s kind Addie! I’m always nervous when I post something because I’m not sure how it’ll be received — but then again, no one knows that when they post! I just need to learn to chill.
Mary Richards was great. She was such a unique character, really. You haven’t lived unless you’ve thrown your beret up in traffic, is what I always say.

my my you are a quirky wonderfully entertaining woman… I’m with ya on the Lucy and Mary…my kinda wacky gals. Partridge Family? Never could watch that show 🙂
Thanks for an awesome read with my nightly cup o joe. Hope you are enjoying your evening as well

Thanks, Audra. As usual I’m torn between trying to be funny and being honest. Lucy and Mary are the real deal, the rest are just goofy attempts at humor. I’m also referencing shows that some of the younger set might not be that familiar with? I still can’t believe that The Flying Nun was a real show… A premise that wouldn’t get picked up by the TV studios today.

Thank goodness for Nick at Night. We need to keep these shows accessible.
I used to model myself after Roseanne, too. I loved her domestic goddess routine. She made me feel good about myself as a wife and mother. It was
Iike, if she can get away with that crap, then so can I!! Haha!

I don’t think they’re flimsy or insubstantial at all, Grippy. These are some of the most prominent female characters we’ve had! (Okay, maybe not Laurie Partridge, but still). And as you said, what sane person DOESN’T love Lucy???

Mine are from a slightly later period–the late 70s. So I was into the Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, and God help me, Charlie’s Angels.

Weebs, it’s hard for me to imagine you watching Charlie’s Angels, and yet I enjoy thinking about a little Weebles child in front of the TV. Is this the same time period that one could catch Eight is Enough, The Waltons and Dynasty? I think there were a lot of ensemble casts at that time, right?
And you know where this is all leading… Wait for it…. Wait for it….
Honey Boo Boo, who makes Charlie’s Angels seem like Masterpiece Theater. Lol!

I think many of those shows overlapped each other as far as when they were on the air, but I can’t remember now. I wasn’t a Waltons or Little House on the Prairie watcher, but most of my friends were. But yeah, Charlie’s Angels. What can I say, I was only 10.

I guess Honey Boo Boo does serve a purpose then–if only to make cheesy 70s shows look good by comparison! 😀

I hated the Waltons, mostly because John Boy’s mole scared me and I guess, so did his name… John Boy? Wtf?
It was a real hodge podge time when you think about it… people were listening to Disco and watching Little House on the Prairie- those were like two opposing forces.
But we survived, by God, we survived!

Would you believe me if I asked…who the heck are all of these people? Just kidding, but seriously. I’ve thought about this and it’s hard to come up with an answer. TV in the 90’s was so different from other times, I think. I can’t really remember that many people to look up to, just a lot of empty laughs. It’s getting better, but I’m not sure what to say. I could say Urkel or Zack from Saved by the Bell, or the dad Dinosaur from Dinosaurs. You see what I mean?

We had some very interesting role models back then. Wonder Woman and the Bionic Woman probably came out around the same time Helen Reddy was singing, “I am woman hear me roar.” But then you had shows like, I Dream of Jeanie that probably set the whole women’s movement back a few centuries! Haha!

Lisa, did you grow up in Zambia? I remember every one of these from my youth. It was a time and place unlike any other! I agree with you about these women. Stunning examples each of them lol.
BTW Ndola was my hometown.fabulous place in the ’70’s

Love this post because it I too connected with some of these but especially Lucy.. I know I’ve seen every episode of “I Love Lucy”..she was zany, bold and funny where as I was the shy kid. I also loved Peggy Lipton in “The Mod Squad” She was tall & blonde and got roam the city with 2 cool, hip guys…

Oh, I loved Peggy Lipton, too! She was super cool, not to mention beautiful.
Yeah, most of these are silly. Lucy and Mary Tyler more being the exception. I still feel bonded to Lucy in a weird way. She never failed to entertain. Love her.

Haha! I thought about putting her on this list! She was super cool, especially her tight black dress that puddled on the floor. And who wouldn’t want Gomez for a lover? When I think of the time we put in watching these shows it’s a wonder we turned out “normal.”

Lisa, who doesn’t love Lucy? I loved Samantha on Bewitched but it used to make me mad when she wouldn’t just twitch her nose to clean the house (Jeannie did! I Dream of Jeannie) and I do remember seeing the Partridge Family….didn’t Laurie Partridge have some short-lived show where they showed a diagram of her body as the perfect woman when she got older?? Loved the Bionic woman and yes, I watched Charlie’s Angels too. Those were the days when the women we watched were pretty but that “pretty” wasn’t absolutely flawless! Great post and sorry I’m late here commenting.

Oh, I’m always happy to see you!! I started out trying to be funny and then something happens along the way and it ends up being slightly confusing. haha! I can hardly compare Laurie Partridge to Lucy Ricardo – one had talent and one didn’t. The idea that all these shows somehow made up the fabric of our early understanding of how the world works makes me laugh! I never saw that Susan Dey show with the body thing… weird. There were so many mixed messages at the time – I guess the country was in flux? And look how great we turned out! Lol!

This was your funniest post yet! Hahah about that picture of Sally Field being from Brothers and Sisters! Hahhah and Laurie effing Partridge playing the piano/organ like a total lameo. My role models were unfortunately cartoon characters–doug, arnold, the rug rats. Things took a turn somewhere in the 90s. If we didn’t have mirrors in the house, I probably would have thought I was animated too.

Would you believe every show you mentioned I’ve only seen I Love Lucy and the only episodes I saw were the chocolate factory one and the one where she hides in a chair?

Anyone who was a ninja influenced me when I was really young. Later on it was anyone extremely wealthy. I guess my goals became more realistic. As shocking as it is, I am more likely to become a billionaire than to ever do a back flip.

hahaha! Ninja warriors! Are you talking about the Turtle guys? It’s probably good that you haven’t seen these shows, as you can tell from my attempt at humor, they didn’t have too much to offer — with the exception of I Love Lucy and The Mary Tyler Moore show. Still I wouldn’t have wanted to watch the shows from later generations because they were so BAD. Full House would make me want to end my life, just hearing the opening song. Ugh.

Oh I love them all too! Especially Lucy. My youngest daughter, Nikki and I have spent so much time together bonding over I Love Lucy. We were just watching it yesterday. We even get her husband to watch it once in a while. He noticed in one episode that Fred mouths the F word!

I admired Mary Tyler Moore so much when that show was on. I especially liked her apartment and her wardrobe! I thought the show was absolutely hilarious. It’s funny though because now I think Bob Newhart held up much better. I have all the Bob Newheart seasons. In case you haven’t noticed Lisa I don’t watch any TV that wasn’t made in the 70’s and before. LOL! 😀

I think I could watch a never ending loop of I Love Lucy. She’s the best. Fred mouthing the F word! Haha!
Mary Tyler Moore was a role model for so many of us. The clothes, the apartment, her perky little way… What a great show. I also LOVE Bob Newhart! (What a surprise, right?) He cracks me up! Even later when he had that show that took place in Vermont, he was just so funny.
The TV shows of today don’t even come close to what we had. They had a different quality back then and an innocence that today’s generation is sadly missing.

We had great tv shows, didn’t we? I think I may have actually written a letter to Susan Dey because I wanted to meet her and be in her fan club! LOL! I may have to do a part 2 of women who rocked my world. I think there are still more laughs to be had. Glad you’re from my era and glad you’ve come by. I think we hang with the same peeps. I feel so overwhelmed lately, so many great blogs to investigate.

I’ve been watching the Partridge Family on the Antenna TV channel lately, and I got curious about where the outside shots of their house came from. It turns out that the outside shots for three of the shows you mention (Partridge Family, I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched) were all filmed on the same street in Burbank. It’s called “Blondie Street,” and it’s on the back lot formerly known as “Columbia Ranch” (now called “Warner Ranch”). There are a lot of crossovers between the shows, for example, the house that the Stephens (Bewitched) family lived in did double duty as the house of Dr. and Mrs. Bellows in “I Dream of Jeannie,” and the Partridge Family’s house was also the house of the Stephens’ neighbors, the Kravitzes. Earlier, the same street provided outdoor shots of the homes of Gidget (speaking of Sally Field), Dennis the Menace and his neighbors, and Hazel, among others.

Now, whenever there’s an outside shot, I pause the digital cable feed and look for the other houses. For example, I was watching the Partridge Family episode where Shirley and Laurie go camping, and as they are packing up the bus for the trip, you can clearly see the Stephens/Bellows house in the background. There’s also a scene where Keith is clipping his neighbor’s hedges (in the episode where he takes an apartment there in exchange for “light gardening”), and the neighbor’s house is Jeannie’s house.

If you’re interested in seeing pictures of these houses, someone out there maintains a web site called “columbiaranch dot net.”

I thought so!!! Even as a young kid I thought there was something very familiar with those houses. Thanks for clearing that up and solving the mystery. It obviously went beyond the same decor or floor plan– they were the same homes!!
What a trip it would be to live on Blondie Street. Other worldly…
Great comment!!